Re: [Elecraft] K3 Chirp - K3SYN Board

[Dana Roode K6NR]

It shouldn't really be a surprise, but a number of folks have extra KSYN3
boards after they upgraded to KSYN3A.  I am sorting through the email
offers, but looks like I will have no  trouble finding one.

  Dana


On Sat, May 1, 2021 at 12:39 PM Dana Roode K6NR 
wrote:

> The cause of my chirp is my K3SYN board; the intermittent nature was
> purely related to what frequency I was on.  Turns out when I was on
> 14044.74, plus or minus a little, the chirp was there, even when I was
> transmitting at a few watts out.  I did the Config VCO Cal procedure Wayne
> mentioned, didn't fix the problem, nor did reseating the board and doing
> the procedure again.  There is a mod from 2010 or so to correct a problem
> like this, but my board already has this done (r20 is 25 ohms not 50).  I
> have an older K3, and I moved its K3SYN board to the newer K3, seems to
> work fine, no chirp.  Meanwhile, I put the odd K3SYN in the older K3 and
> the chirp is there, same frequency.
>
> I'm not sure if I caused other issues when I swapped the boards, so if you
> hear me on, drop me an email to let me know how its sounding.  The older
> board doesn't have the metal plate stiffener on it, nor does it have the
> 2010 mod.
>
> Meanwhile, I'm in the market for a K3SYN board.  Don't know if elecraft
> has them as spare parts or can repair the one I have.  Will have to ask.
>
>   Dana
>
>
> On Fri, Apr 30, 2021 at 10:44 AM Dana Roode K6NR 
> wrote:
>
>> Let me give this another try.  Anyone out there ever have an issue with a
>> CW Chirp from a K3?   Mine seems to be intermittent, it's not always
>> present.  I've got a spare K3, I guess I will drive out to the station and
>> swap out the one there now.  If it's not the power supply, the only other
>> thing I can think of is an issue with the KSYN3 board.  I can try the
>> calibration Wayne mentioned in his 2017 post.
>>
>>   Dana
>>
>>
>> On Wed, Apr 28, 2021 at 5:21 PM Dana Roode K6NR 
>> wrote:
>>
>>> It was reported today by several folks who heard my CW signal that I
>>> have a bad chirp - I was operating on 20 meters during CWT.  I listened to
>>> the signal myself (my station is 80 miles away and I can listen on a local
>>> transceiver).  Someone also sent me a recording.
>>>
>>> I've been using the same K3, KPA1500, and Astron power supply for many
>>> years.  I shut off the amp and could still hear the chirp.
>>>
>>> One thought is that it has something to do with my power supply,
>>> although I saw a previous posting that made that seem unlikely (below).
>>> Wayne mentioned something about KSYSN3 calibration, I had not heard of that
>>> before, I will look into it.
>>>
>>> If anyone has experienced a problem with chirp on a K3, let me know (it
>>> is a K3 not a K3S).
>>>
>>>   Dana
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> In reply to this post
>>> 
>>> by Doug Smith [W7KF]
>>> Under normal circumstances, it is impossible for a K3 or K3S for exhibit
>>> "chirp." The synthesizer settles well before the rig switches from TX to RX
>>> or vice-versa.
>>>
>>> The KSYN3A (newer synth, used in the K3S) settles in well under 1 ms
>>> thanks to its entirely digital architecture (UHF DSPLL, divided down).
>>>
>>> The KSYN3 (older synth, used on the K3) uses a more traditional PLL with
>>> its VCO running at the target output frequency. It normally settles in
>>> under 5 ms. It can take a bit longer depending on the actual PLL voltage
>>> and VCO frequency. This is accounted for in firmware.
>>>
>>> If your KSYN3 were not properly calibrated, you might see a longer
>>> settling time on one or two bands, most likely 6 meters. If you suspect
>>> this, refer to the CONFIG:VCO MD menu entry. The K3 includes an automatic
>>> VCO calibration routine that requires no test equipment and takes only a
>>> couple of minutes to run.
>>>
>>> Wayne
>>> N6KR
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> On Jan 19, 2017, at 12:57 PM, "Ron D'Eau Claire" <[hidden email]
>>> >
>>> wrote:
>>>
>>> > In a synthesized VFO rig like the K3S, any tendency to "chirp" is
>>> almost always related to the synthesizer momentarily losing frequency (or
>>> phase) lock.
>>> >
>>> > While that could conceivably be linked to change in the power bus
>>> voltage, it's highly unlikely since the bus is isolated from the actual
>>> synthesizer by voltage regulators and filters.
>>> >
>>> > OTOH, the OO's report was strictly advisory. I have experienced
>>> spurious OO reports over my >50 years of pounding brass, and one that
>>> turned out to be accurate when I blew the filter caps in the transmitter
>>> and did not notice, nor did the stations I was working report the hum on my
>>> signal. When I got a "chirp" report one time (on a homebrew rig) and was
>>> unable to hear it myself, I sent a friendly letter to the OO. He replied
>>> that he was "almost sure" he could detect a "slight chirp" so he sent the
>>> card.
>>> >

[Elecraft] Elecraft CW Net Announcement

[kevinr]

Good Evening,

   It was a week of rapid growth.  Ferns are now three feet tall and 
leaves are filling the empty spaces in the trees.  Bird species keep 
changing.  I heard a Mourning Dove the other morning.  They are not 
regulars here, must have been moving through.  The gray jays are very 
spread out now.  They don't flock the house when I step out.  The 
hummingbirds have lots of insects to eat.  They eat some of the biting 
flies which is appreciated.


   Propagation seems weaker now.  I have been testing twenty and forty 
meters for the last few days with little luck.  Earlier in the week I 
was doing better with the reverse beacon net.  Today was worse.  While 
the sun is not very active, the volcano in Iceland is doing better.  
Lava flow has increased as has the venting of gasses.  They propel the 
magma 100 feet into the air or higher.  There is only one vent now 
creating and breaking a spatter cone.  Flow rate around 8 cubic meters 
per second.  It has been quite a show.


Please join us on (or near):


14050 kHz at 2200z Sunday (3 PM PDT Sunday)
  7047 kHz at z Monday (5 PM PDT Sunday)

   73,
  Kevin. KD5ONS


-



There was three kings unto the east,
Three kings both great and high,
And they hae sworn a solemn oath
John Barleycorn should die.

They took a plough and plough'd him down,
Put clods upon his head,
And they hae sworn a solemn oath
John Barleycorn was dead.

But the cheerful Spring came kindly on,
And show'rs began to fall;
John Barleycorn got up again,
And sore surpris'd them all.

The sultry suns of Summer came,
And he grew thick and strong;
His head weel arm'd wi' pointed spears,
That no one should him wrong.

The sober Autumn enter'd mild,
When he grew wan and pale;
His bending joints and drooping head
Show'd he bagan to fail.

His colour sicken'd more and more,
He faded into age;
And then his enemies began
To show their deadly rage.

They've taen a weapon, long and sharp,
And cut him by the knee;
Then tied him fast upon a cart,
Like a rogue for forgerie.

They laid him down upon his back,
And cudgell'd him full sore;
They hung him up before the storm,
And turn'd him o'er and o'er.

They filled up a darksome pit
With water to the brim;
They heaved in John Barleycorn,
There let him sink or swim.

They laid him out upon the floor,
To work him further woe;
And still, as signs of life appear'd,
They toss'd him to and fro.

They wasted, o'er a scorching flame,
The marrow of his bones;
But a miller us'd him worst of all,
For he crush'd him between two stones.

And they hae taen his very heart's blood,
And drank it round and round;
And still the more and more they drank,
Their joy did more abound.

John Barleycorn was a hero bold,
Of noble enterprise;
For if you do but taste his blood,
'Twill make your courage rise.

'Twill make a man forget his woe;
'Twill heighten all his joy;
'Twill make the widow's heart to sing,
Tho' the tear were in her eye.

Then let us toast John Barleycorn,
Each man a glass in hand;
And may his great posterity
Ne'er fail in old Scotland!

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[Elecraft] k3 STEPPIR 6Meters

[Frederick Dwight]

Sent from Mail for Windows 10
If you do not have the added 6 meter element it should be a worthwhile 
addition.  I think it makes the 3 element antenna 
a 4 element antenna on 6 meters and greatly improves the F/B ratio and adds a 
small gain.  I have not added this
to my Yagi, since I seldom have operated on 6 meters, but it looks like it may 
be possible to add it to the boom
from the top of the tower without much trouble since it is not too far out from 
the mast.  At one time I think the cost
was less than $100, but probably you could build your own element if you have 
aluminum scrap antennas.
Just an idea, since every dB helps.  Rick  KL7CW
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Re: [Elecraft] K3 Chirp - K3SYN Board

[Dana Roode K6NR]

The cause of my chirp is my K3SYN board; the intermittent nature was purely
related to what frequency I was on.  Turns out when I was on 14044.74, plus
or minus a little, the chirp was there, even when I was transmitting at a
few watts out.  I did the Config VCO Cal procedure Wayne mentioned, didn't
fix the problem, nor did reseating the board and doing the procedure
again.  There is a mod from 2010 or so to correct a problem like this, but
my board already has this done (r20 is 25 ohms not 50).  I have an older
K3, and I moved its K3SYN board to the newer K3, seems to work fine, no
chirp.  Meanwhile, I put the odd K3SYN in the older K3 and the chirp is
there, same frequency.

I'm not sure if I caused other issues when I swapped the boards, so if you
hear me on, drop me an email to let me know how its sounding.  The older
board doesn't have the metal plate stiffener on it, nor does it have the
2010 mod.

Meanwhile, I'm in the market for a K3SYN board.  Don't know if elecraft has
them as spare parts or can repair the one I have.  Will have to ask.

  Dana


On Fri, Apr 30, 2021 at 10:44 AM Dana Roode K6NR 
wrote:

> Let me give this another try.  Anyone out there ever have an issue with a
> CW Chirp from a K3?   Mine seems to be intermittent, it's not always
> present.  I've got a spare K3, I guess I will drive out to the station and
> swap out the one there now.  If it's not the power supply, the only other
> thing I can think of is an issue with the KSYN3 board.  I can try the
> calibration Wayne mentioned in his 2017 post.
>
>   Dana
>
>
> On Wed, Apr 28, 2021 at 5:21 PM Dana Roode K6NR 
> wrote:
>
>> It was reported today by several folks who heard my CW signal that I have
>> a bad chirp - I was operating on 20 meters during CWT.  I listened to the
>> signal myself (my station is 80 miles away and I can listen on a local
>> transceiver).  Someone also sent me a recording.
>>
>> I've been using the same K3, KPA1500, and Astron power supply for many
>> years.  I shut off the amp and could still hear the chirp.
>>
>> One thought is that it has something to do with my power supply, although
>> I saw a previous posting that made that seem unlikely (below).  Wayne
>> mentioned something about KSYSN3 calibration, I had not heard of that
>> before, I will look into it.
>>
>> If anyone has experienced a problem with chirp on a K3, let me know (it
>> is a K3 not a K3S).
>>
>>   Dana
>>
>>
>>
>> In reply to this post
>> 
>> by Doug Smith [W7KF]
>> Under normal circumstances, it is impossible for a K3 or K3S for exhibit
>> "chirp." The synthesizer settles well before the rig switches from TX to RX
>> or vice-versa.
>>
>> The KSYN3A (newer synth, used in the K3S) settles in well under 1 ms
>> thanks to its entirely digital architecture (UHF DSPLL, divided down).
>>
>> The KSYN3 (older synth, used on the K3) uses a more traditional PLL with
>> its VCO running at the target output frequency. It normally settles in
>> under 5 ms. It can take a bit longer depending on the actual PLL voltage
>> and VCO frequency. This is accounted for in firmware.
>>
>> If your KSYN3 were not properly calibrated, you might see a longer
>> settling time on one or two bands, most likely 6 meters. If you suspect
>> this, refer to the CONFIG:VCO MD menu entry. The K3 includes an automatic
>> VCO calibration routine that requires no test equipment and takes only a
>> couple of minutes to run.
>>
>> Wayne
>> N6KR
>>
>>
>>
>> On Jan 19, 2017, at 12:57 PM, "Ron D'Eau Claire" <[hidden email]
>> >
>> wrote:
>>
>> > In a synthesized VFO rig like the K3S, any tendency to "chirp" is
>> almost always related to the synthesizer momentarily losing frequency (or
>> phase) lock.
>> >
>> > While that could conceivably be linked to change in the power bus
>> voltage, it's highly unlikely since the bus is isolated from the actual
>> synthesizer by voltage regulators and filters.
>> >
>> > OTOH, the OO's report was strictly advisory. I have experienced
>> spurious OO reports over my >50 years of pounding brass, and one that
>> turned out to be accurate when I blew the filter caps in the transmitter
>> and did not notice, nor did the stations I was working report the hum on my
>> signal. When I got a "chirp" report one time (on a homebrew rig) and was
>> unable to hear it myself, I sent a friendly letter to the OO. He replied
>> that he was "almost sure" he could detect a "slight chirp" so he sent the
>> card.
>> >
>> > So my advice is that if you can't repeat what the OO observed, don't
>> worry about it.
>> >
>> > 73, Ron AC7AC
>>
>
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Please help 

Re: [Elecraft] K3 / KXV3A / PR6 / SteppIR 3L - 6M Operation

[Josh Fiden]

Not upcoming, e season already in progress! Seeing at least single hop every 
day. 

Leave PR6 on all the time. K3 is deaf on 6 without it. 

73
Josh W6XU 

Sent from my mobile device

> On May 1, 2021, at 7:47 AM, Mike Flowers  wrote:
> 
> Hi Folks,
> 
> 
> 
> I recently purchased a used PR6 6-Meter preamp in anticipation of the
> upcoming 6M summer season.
> 
> 
> 
> My K3 has the KXV3A Interface option installed.  I have a K-Line station;
> K3,P3,KAT500,KPA500.
> 
> 
> 
> My 6M antenna is my SteppIR 3L.
> 
> 
> 
> I've downloaded the PR6 and KXV3A manuals, and I'm reading the Elecraft K3
> Owners manual and Fred Cadys K3 manual to understand the signal path for the
> proper use of the PR6 preamp.   This is the first time I've needed to use
> the RX ANT feature on the K3, and there are a lot of ways to configure the
> signal path in the K3, I've discovered.
> 
> 
> 
> My 6M operation is pretty simple.  The SteppIR gives me a 3L yagi on 6M.  I
> have the KAT500 configured to recognize the SteppIR as a resonant 6M antenna
> on ANT1 and the KPA500 gives me a full 500W if I need it.
> 
> 
> 
> I'm looking for guidance for using the PR6 in this configuration, and I will
> appreciate any suggestions and cautions about how to effectively use the PR6
> for my 6M operation.
> 

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Re: [Elecraft] KPA500 Relay Failure

[Wes]

Good work.

On 5/1/2021 9:45 AM, wa9fvp wrote:

I'm repairing a KPA500 for a friend that has the RX loss in standby mode.
After a time, he also lost receive in operate mode.  After doing a teardown,
I found the problem.

With the PA board removed, I checked K23A relay.  The normally closed
contact on the antenna side of the relay was open.  K23B was OK.  With relay
on the board, there was no safe way to energize the relay so I didn't check
the contacts on the normally open side. I also noticed that resistor R7 was
un-populate and pieces of it was stuck to bottom cover.

Looking at the PA schematic I came to the conclusion that the relay K23A was
also having problems on the operate position. With no or a poor connection
to the antenna, the 500-watt output voltage can go sky high. It can get
rectified by D9 and feed a high DC voltage through L4 and damage resistor R7
or even un-solder itself.

I replaced the relay and R7.  I remove the cover on the old relay and using
a 12v power supply, I set up bench test. With the relay energized, I
connected a Fluke meter in diode mode and it proved that the antenna
connection in operate mode was intermittent.




-
Jack WA9FVP

Sent from my home-brew I5 Core PC
--
Sent from: http://elecraft.365791.n2.nabble.com/


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[Elecraft] KPA500 Relay Failure

[wa9fvp]

I'm repairing a KPA500 for a friend that has the RX loss in standby mode. 
After a time, he also lost receive in operate mode.  After doing a teardown,
I found the problem.  

With the PA board removed, I checked K23A relay.  The normally closed
contact on the antenna side of the relay was open.  K23B was OK.  With relay
on the board, there was no safe way to energize the relay so I didn't check
the contacts on the normally open side. I also noticed that resistor R7 was
un-populate and pieces of it was stuck to bottom cover.

Looking at the PA schematic I came to the conclusion that the relay K23A was
also having problems on the operate position. With no or a poor connection
to the antenna, the 500-watt output voltage can go sky high. It can get
rectified by D9 and feed a high DC voltage through L4 and damage resistor R7
or even un-solder itself.   

I replaced the relay and R7.  I remove the cover on the old relay and using
a 12v power supply, I set up bench test. With the relay energized, I
connected a Fluke meter in diode mode and it proved that the antenna
connection in operate mode was intermittent. 




-
Jack WA9FVP

Sent from my home-brew I5 Core PC
--
Sent from: http://elecraft.365791.n2.nabble.com/
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[Elecraft] K3 / KXV3A / PR6 / SteppIR 3L - 6M Operation

[Mike Flowers]

Hi Folks,

 

I recently purchased a used PR6 6-Meter preamp in anticipation of the
upcoming 6M summer season.

 

My K3 has the KXV3A Interface option installed.  I have a K-Line station;
K3,P3,KAT500,KPA500.

 

My 6M antenna is my SteppIR 3L.

 

I've downloaded the PR6 and KXV3A manuals, and I'm reading the Elecraft K3
Owners manual and Fred Cadys K3 manual to understand the signal path for the
proper use of the PR6 preamp.   This is the first time I've needed to use
the RX ANT feature on the K3, and there are a lot of ways to configure the
signal path in the K3, I've discovered.

 

My 6M operation is pretty simple.  The SteppIR gives me a 3L yagi on 6M.  I
have the KAT500 configured to recognize the SteppIR as a resonant 6M antenna
on ANT1 and the KPA500 gives me a full 500W if I need it.

 

I'm looking for guidance for using the PR6 in this configuration, and I will
appreciate any suggestions and cautions about how to effectively use the PR6
for my 6M operation.

 

Thank you in advance for your help!

 

- 73 and good DX de Mike,   K6MKF, NCDXC
  Secretary

 

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Re: [Elecraft] K4 + Winlink

[Dave]

The switching speed should really be under 20mS to work reliably with an
Amtor modem. Pactor (as used by Winlink) is less critical. Computer based
transceivers can have slow change over due to long latency times.

My K3 and my Icom IC-7300 are fine on Amtor (and Pactor). I have a KX3 but
haven’t tried it.

The ARRL review T/R speeds of the IC-7300 are 15/14mS, the KX3 is 44/30mS.
The K3 with sync data mode was 22mS in the April 2008 QST review.

No idea about the K4 though.

73 Dave G4AON
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